Can you just stop taking cetirizine?

However it's best to take cetirizine only for as long as you need to. If you take it regularly over a long period there's a very small chance of severe itching if you stop treatment suddenly. If you've been taking cetirizine every day for a long time, talk to your doctor before stopping it.

What happens if you stop taking cetirizine?

A: Neither the label nor the medical literature warns that stopping cetirizine suddenly can result in unbearable itching. Nevertheless, visitors to www.PeoplesPharmacy.com have reported that the hives and itching can be agonizing and last for weeks. Some people have reported success with gradual tapering of the dose.

How long does cetirizine withdrawal last?

The withdrawal signs usually begin between 48 and 96 hours after the last dose. They usually peak between days 3 and 5 and can last between 1 and 7 days. When should one stop taking antihistamine medication?

How do you wean off cetirizine?

There are some articles out about how to cut down and they work, so I wanted to share it on this forum. You take your Zyrtec, cut it in half, and take a half dose every day for 5-7 days, then you move to taking that half dose every other day for 5-7 days, and then finally quit cold turkey.

Can you get withdrawal symptoms from cetirizine?

For example, some people experience symptoms with cetirizine if they take it for a while and then stop suddenly. The main withdrawal symptom is called pruritus— itching and burning sensations of the skin ranging from moderate to severe.

kylieskatz22TV : I'm going through Zyrtec withdrawal

How do you wean yourself off antihistamines?

In general, wean gradually by 25-50% of the daily dose every 1-4 weeks. If reason for deprescribing is serious adverse effects, wean faster or cease immediately. Provide advice to patient/carer on self-monitoring and what to do if symptoms re-occur.

Is cetirizine habit forming?

Your body doesn't become addicted to antihistamines anymore than your car becomes addicted to having a windshield.

Does cetirizine make you gain weight?

Antihistamines can also make you feel tired and unmotivated to exercise. Antihistamines that can cause weight gain include: Diphenhydramine (Benadryl and others) Cetirizine (Zyrtec)

Can I take Zyrtec every other day?

Cetirizine (Zyrtec) is safe to take every day if you have allergy symptoms on a daily basis. If you don't have allergy symptoms every day, you can take it as needed on days when these symptoms bother you.

Can stopping Zyrtec cause anxiety?

Anxiety caused by antihistamines should go away once you stop taking the medication. If you notice you feel more nervous in the hours following a dose of these allergy medications, speak with your provider about alternatives.

Do you have to wean off antihistamines?

In the absence of withdrawal effects, then it is safe to continue to wean off the antihistamine and then stop. In the event of a recurrence of withdrawal symptoms, it is best to revert to the lowest tolerated dose and try weaning again after six to 12 weeks but at 5-12.5pc daily dose reduction every month.

Do antihistamines have a rebound effect?

“There are typically no rebound symptoms—it is important to keep in mind that if the antihistamine is working well and is withdrawn, there will be a recurrence of the symptoms the antihistamine was treating,” Dr. Tilles says. If you do experience side effects after ending a daily antihistamine, they are usually mild.

Does Zyrtec have a rebound effect?

They can also create an opposite effect, such as antihistamines stopping your nose form running but then causing it to become congested. Another side effect to watch out for is the rebound effect.

Is it OK to take antihistamines every day?

Depending on your symptoms, you can take antihistamines: Every day, to help keep daily symptoms under control. Only when you have symptoms. Before being exposed to things that often cause your allergy symptoms, such as a pet or certain plants.

What are the side effects of long term use of antihistamines?

These common side effects include sedation, impaired motor function, dizziness, dry mouth and throat, blurred vision, urinary retention and constipation. Antihistamines can worsen urinary retention and narrow angle glaucoma. The antihistamines rarely cause liver injury.

What are the long term effects of taking antihistamines?

Long term use of some antihistamines may increase your risk of dementia. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl®) blocks the effects of a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine. This neurotransmitter is vital for memory and learning.

When should I stop taking allergy medicine?

When is it safe to stop taking seasonal allergy medications? There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Everyone's experience with seasonal allergies is different and can change from year to year. Stopping too early can cause your symptoms to suddenly appear and be difficult to get back under control.

How long until Zyrtec is out of your system?

The elimination half-life of Zyrtec is between 8 to 9 hours. It takes approximately 5.5 x elimination half-life for a medicine to be cleared from your system. For Zyrtec this is 5.5 x 9 hours which is about 2 days.

What are the side effects of long term use of Zyrtec?

This class of drugs is associated with psychological side effects such as irritability and anxiety, hallucinations, aggressive behavior, depression and suicidal ideation or behavior, and insomnia.

What cetirizine does to the body?

Cetirizine is an antihistamine used to relieve allergy symptoms such as watery eyes, runny nose, itching eyes/nose, sneezing, hives, and itching. It works by blocking a certain natural substance (histamine) that your body makes during an allergic reaction.

Is there a natural antihistamine?

A common herb in natural medicine, stinging nettle, may also be a natural antihistamine. In a 2000 study, 58 percent of participants found their symptoms relieved with the use of freeze-dried nettles, and 69 participants rated it better than the placebo. Stinging nettle can be found online and at health food stores.

Why was Zyrtec taken off the market?

While it is just now showing up in the FDA Enforcement report, Perrigo initiated the recall of the antihistamine in late September after it found that the products potentially contained an impurity.

How long should you take cetirizine?

How long should I take cetirizine for? It depends on why you're taking cetirizine. You may only need to take it for a short time or as a one-off dose. For example, if you have a reaction to an insect bite, you may only need to take cetirizine for a day or two.

Can you build tolerance to antihistamines?

The evidence presented does suggest, however, that patients on prolonged antihistamine therapy may develop clinical tolerance. When this is suspected the dose should be increased or the drug discontinued for a short perior (3 to 14 days) before resuming therapy.

Can I drink alcohol while taking cetirizine?

Interactions with cetirizine

Cetirizine does interact with other substances. For example, avoid consuming alcoholic drinks while you take cetirizine. Doing so may be dangerous. Mixing cetirizine with alcohol can cause drowsiness or make you less alert.